Being a leader is about helping people to become better versions of themselves. It’s not about commanding and controlling but rather facilitating, collaborating, and encouraging. Leaders are always growing and learning. Recognizing a child’s unlimited potential and encouraging them to get out of their comfort zone in a mistake-friendly environment is what the Montessori elementary classroom is all about. And, when done well, it’s the perfect place to develop leadership skills. In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Peter Piché, a former Montessori guide with 17 years of classroom experience who currently is a certified life and leadership coach offering trainings to Montessori organizations. Peter talks about how leaders are grown (not born), how the elementary montessori setting encourages leadership, the importance of self-accountability and self-reflection, and encouraging a balance of freedom and responsibility in the classroom.What’s in this episode:How the Montessori elementary environment prepares children for leadership, as students and as adultsThe qualities that the Montessori elementary setting cultivates in children that they might not get in a more traditional education settingWhy mistake-friendly environments are important to developing leadership skillsThe core elements for leading that Montessori elementary environments can instill in childrenPeter’s advice for elementary teachers in supporting their students to become leadersFor full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit https://www.trilliummontessori.org/leadership-in-the-elementary-classroom/Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Peter’s website (where you can get his new book, Courageous Montessori Leadership)Connect With UsVisit our websiteFollow us on InstagramConnect with us on Facebook